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General Motors, like a lot of other carmakers, is having a tough time lately - some might say tougher than most. Opel, GM's German subsidiary, and Vauxhall, Opel's UK-based doppelganger, are taking it on the chin as well. Today German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced the government would be unlikely to support Opel without a guarantee that the funds would "secure a good future" for the company, reports Reuters. Shortly afterward a conglomerate of Opel/Vauxhall dealers stepped in with a plan to buy a minority stake. Euroda, a group of Opel/Vauxhall dealers in 25 countries numbering about...
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Peeling back the layers of Aston Martin's DBSWhat makes a hand-built car so different from a standard robot-assembled production line car? Some might say it's attention to detail, but the scanning cameras and computer software of a modern assembly line might disagree. In truth, it's craftsmanship, and nothing illustrates that better than a...
Nelson Ireson -
Toyota releases world-first rear-seat center airbagNo stone is being left unturned in carmakers' hunt for more and better safety technology, and Toyota is often at or near the forefront of that search. Today the company has released a new system: the world's first rear-seat center airbag. Designed to protect occupants in a side-impact from...
Ralph Hanson -
American tuners dialing up big horsepower from the Porsche 911 TurboThe American tuning scene is rapidly expanding to the point where some firms, like Ohio’s Switzer Performance and now Arizona’s Evolution Motorsports (EVOMS), are modifying German cars to the same extent, if not more, than tuners in Germany itself. Switzer has released a number of kits...
Jeremy Weber -
Germany’s Bitter Planning To Expand Lineup With Affordable RoadsterSmall-scale German manufacturer Bitter is known for making its own breed of custom cars based on vehicles from the General Motors Company [NYSE:GM] stable. The company made a comeback last year with the release of the Vero saloon, which is based on the Aussie-made Holden Statesman and is sold in...
Alex Kaufmann -
Hollywood celebrities to take part in Toyota-backed charity raceToyota will be hosting a celebrity race next month with a star-studded field of competitors intended to draw audiences and help raise funding for numerous charities. A total of 20 drivers will compete and already confirmed for the event are a number of A-list actors including Keanu Reeves, who...
James Martinez -
When it comes to hybrids, it’s usually Toyota and Honda that get all the good press but American carmakers are just as active in the segment though their efforts mostly go unnoticed. Not this time, however, as Ford wants everyone to know that it has produced its 100,000th hybrid SUV. The particular vehicle was a silver 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid, which rolled off the production line today at the company’s Kansas City assembly plant. The first-generation model rolled off the line back in 2004 and was later joined by its Mercury Mariner Hybrid sibling, which is built at the same plant...
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Jay Leno poking fun at Detroit with ‘Comedy Stimulus Plan’On last night’s episode of The Tonight Show Jay Leno announced his plan for stimulating America with what he does best – telling jokes. Leno will make an appearance in Detroit early next month to perform his standup act and hopefully cheer up many of the employees (both current and...
James Martinez -
Mansory tones it down for Porsche Cayenne ‘955’ performance kitIn the world of high-end car modification, there's extreme, there's insane, and then there's Mansory. But every now and then a tuner has to release something just a little ordinary to prove that it hasn’t completely lost the plot. That’s where Mansory 955 kit for the facelifted Porsche...
Alex Kaufmann -
Hammacher Schlemmer releases GPS nanny to keep eye on teensSafety tech is progressing in every field imaginable, especially with the aid of computers and telematics. But what if you don't want to fork over for the latest vehicle to get the ability to track your teen's driving? Hammacher Schlemmer has the answer. Innocuously named the Driving Activity...
Ralph Hanson -
Alfa Romeo Releases Info For MiTo GTAAlfa Romeo CEO Luca de Meo first confirmed details about the upcoming GTA variant of the ultra-stylish MiTo hatch as far back as June 2008, revealing the car would arrive in the middle of this year packing a brand new 1.75L four-cylinder petrol engine turbocharged to the tune of 240hp (179kW)...
Alex Kaufmann -
Video: McLaren fans inspire remote-control F1 carIn a viral video Cinderella story that could only happen on the Internet, two McLaren Formula 1 fans have helped to inspire one of the most incredible remote control cars ever: a full-scale, fully functional remote control F1 car. And it's piloted - remotely - by Lewis Hamilton. Two bored office...
Nelson Ireson -
Kia the recent Los Angeles Auto Show to display the North American version of its new Soul hatch, which is now on sale in the U.S. as a 2010 model. Pricing for the car leaked on several internet forums late last year, and now Kia has made it official, revealing that the stylish hatch will be available from just $13,995 (including a $695 destination charge). Designed in Southern California, the Soul is a C-Segment vehicle targeted at younger buyers looking for something a little more stylish than the average econo car. Originally debuted as a concept vehicle at Detroit’s NAIAS in 2006...
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Aston Martin LMP1 racer debuts at Paul Ricard CircuitIn 1959, racing legend Carroll Shelby along with Roy Salvadori raced to overall victory at Le Mans in an Aston Martin DBR1, followed by another DBR1 in second place - both cars 25 laps ahead of third place. This year, marking the 50th anniversary of that feat, Aston Martin will field two works...
Nelson Ireson -
Queen inducts Lewis Hamilton into the Order of the British Empire todayBritish racing drivers are no strangers to royal honors when they do well, and Lewis Hamilton today finds that out first hand, being inducted into the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. The induction ranks Hamilton at the entry level of the Order, with the title of...
Kenneth Hall -
Zonda Cinque On The Auction Block For 1.6 Million EurosSo you want a supercar, and you want something hand-made, but the typical Italian cars just don't do it for you? Well, then the Pagani Zonda is just the ticket. Still not exclusive enough? You need the Cinque. And €1,600,000 ($2,034,700). Only five of the cars will be made, their hand-sculpted...
Alex Kaufmann -
Audi posts record profit for 2008, pays each worker €5,300 bonusAt a time when General Motors and Chrysler are facing the reality of bankruptcy, Toyota is forecasting a multi-billion dollar loss, and most other carmakers are either shutting down plants or laying off workers, Audi has managed to post a record profit and its best ever sales figures. Both the U.S...
Alex Kaufmann -
Seven Lamborghini Reventons up for saleWhether it’s a result of the global financial crisis finally taking its toll on even the richest of the rich, or perhaps even a temporary alignment of certain planets in the solar system, for some bizarre reason there are seven - yes, seven - ultra-rare, highly desirable, Lamborghini Reventon...
Alex Kaufmann -
It's got a snazzy title, it's controversial, and it's already popular. No, it's not Britney Spears' new 'Circus' tour. It's a plan - called the 'Hummer Tax' - to increase the registration fee on SUVs, and it has the backing of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. Car dealers and SUV owners are already up in arms over the proposal, though exactly how much money the increase would be isn't yet clear. "It's a penalty for driving an SUV, which currently is not the popular choice. Or you're being penalized for a lifestyle choice, or maybe the fact that you have a large family and you need that...
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Chevy reveals factory Camaro accessoriesFrom audio systems and ambient lighting to body kits and gauge packages, the new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro already has a huge range of accessories available. General Motors let loose the original equipment extravaganza on its website today, trying to build up excitement for the launch of the all-new...
Nelson Ireson -
Audi insider: U.S. likely to receive TT RS and RS 5The hotly-anticipated TT RS will hit showrooms in Europe by the middle of the year but ask Audi when it will arrive in the United States and the only answer you will likely receive is that it’s still under consideration. A similar response can be expected for the even more extreme RS 5...
James Martinez -
Hyundai Sonata-based hybrid will get unique styling, October 2010 U.S. launchAt last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show Hyundai rolled out a concept version of its Sonata sedan fitted with the company’s new ‘Blue Drive’ hybrid powertrain. Blue Drive is actually a new branding for Hyundai’s future range of eco-friendly models and will encompass...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Early look at BMW’s next wave of EfficientDynamics technologyAs manufacturers seek ways to create more efficient cars without compromising power or driveability, eyes are increasingly turning to new technologies and ideas. BMW is looking to electricity generated by exhaust gas heat and solar power to take the electrical load off the engine and thereby...
Kenneth Hall -
Nissan announces new EV program in Tucson, ArizonaECOtality has partnered with Nissan and the Pima Association of Governments to bring a new zero-emissions initiative to the Tucson, Arizona region. By pairing prototype EVs and a new charging network, Nissan hopes to further expand its development of practical research into widespread use of...
Ralph Hanson